Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law

「Luxe Garden, Bluen Family villa.」

Sovia Morris's car was brazenly parked right in front of the Bluen Family's villa, blocking Scarlett Taylor, who had intended to go out.

She was there regarding the matter between Marcel Horne and Ruby Bluen. Just thinking about Marcel Horne and Ruby Bluen together filled Sovia with burning rage; she was convinced that Ruby was a promiscuous woman, toying with the men of the Horne Family.

Ruby Bluen was also at the villa. Sovia Morris had arrived early in the morning, before Ruby had left for work, so she too was trapped at home.

"Madam, what exactly do you want?" Scarlett Taylor's expression was grim. She had been trying to reason with Sovia Morris all morning, but to no avail. Sovia was adamant that Ruby Bluen was seducing Marcel Horne and refused to allow them to be together.

Sovia Morris was a mother protecting her son, and Scarlett Taylor was a mother too, naturally protective of her daughter. These two esteemed ladies, both mothers, were seething with anger over their children's affairs, each determined to make the other yield.

"Mrs. Bluen, I don't want anything in particular. I just want you to discipline your precious daughter properly and ensure she doesn't ruin my Marcel," Sovia Morris said coldly. Her expression wasn't as overtly distraught as Scarlett Taylor's. After decades in Upper Class Society alongside Old Horne, she possessed greater self-control. However, Scarlett's verbal retorts were more formidable. Sovia's words were harsh, yet the specific phrasing wasn't overtly sharp.

"My Marcel is a military man, an officer. Military marriages don't permit divorce. I'm afraid that if your Ruby tries to run away again in the future, she won't be able to," Sovia Morris sneered, relentlessly holding Ruby Bluen's past elopement against her.

"Aunt, my feelings for Marcel are genuine," Ruby Bluen said. Though deeply saddened and angry, she had to restrain herself because the other woman was Marcel's mother. She was determined to marry Marcel Horne, making Sovia Morris her future mother-in-law. For that reason alone, she had to tolerate Sovia.

Sovia Morris shot her a harsh look, her eyes filled with disapproval and a hint of scorn. Her aversion to Ruby Bluen grew with every glance.

"Ruby, go upstairs for now," Scarlett Taylor said, intervening. She didn't want her eldest daughter to be embarrassed or to develop a lasting resentment towards Sovia Morris. No one knew how things would unfold. Despite all the opposition, Marcel Horne might still marry her daughter. If Ruby developed a deep-seated resentment towards Sovia, her relationship with her mother-in-law could be even worse than her younger daughter's. Julia Bluen had Glades Horne to protect her, so Mila Anderson wouldn't dare to cause her much trouble. But Marcel Horne was different. As a soldier, he was often away with his unit and rarely at home. Ruby Bluen would frequently have to face her in-laws alone, leaving her vulnerable to Sovia Morris's bullying. Sovia Morris's sharp tongue was notorious in the Military District compound where they lived.

"Mom, I'm fine," Ruby Bluen said, refusing to back down. The issue had arisen because of her, and she wouldn't evade it. As long as Marcel Horne loved her, she feared nothing.

"Mrs. Bluen, Julia is already my niece-in-law. If you then make Ruby my daughter-in-law, does that mean both your daughters must cling to the men of the Horne Family? Are there no other men in the world for them to marry? Given the Bluen Family's status, Ruby could marry someone far better than Marcel if she wished. There are plenty of options. Why insist on involving Marcel?" Sovia Morris's tone softened slightly, but her words remained just as sharp.

It was as if Ruby Bluen being with Marcel Horne would be detrimental to him.

Ultimately, she believed Ruby Bluen was toying with Marcel Horne's affections. She also felt that Marcel marrying his own elder brother's former fiancée would make them the laughingstock of Upper Class Society. Young people these days are reckless, only pursuing what they call 'true love' without considering the consequences. They never imagine how much criticism will be hurled at them once it becomes a reality, affecting their daily lives and their relationship. Both families were prominent and valued their reputations immensely. Neither wanted to become the subject of gossip; they couldn't afford such a loss of face. As for Glades Horne and Julia Bluen's relationship, Glades was powerful enough to deter any open criticism. No one dared to offend or anger him. Furthermore, Julia, unlike Ruby, hadn't eloped or caused any scandal. They had grown up together, so people accepted their union more readily. Marcel Horne, however, was different. He was a soldier, and issues in his private life could affect his military conduct, possibly even leading to a 'discussion' with his superiors. If he got together with Ruby Bluen, everyone would blame him for her elopement. They'd assume Marcel had lured her away, especially since he had just returned home on leave and met Ruby right before she disappeared that very night. With such coincidental timing, who wouldn't suspect something? As a soldier, seducing his own elder brother's fiancée... how would people view him? What would they think?

Julia Bluen returned. The Bluen Family's housekeeper had been the one to notify her.

The housekeeper, worried that his mistress and eldest young miss would be at a disadvantage, had secretly notified the second young miss to return. After all, the second young miss was now the Horne Family's Eldest Young Madam. Sovia Morris (Mrs. Horne the Second) wouldn't dare to go too far, out of consideration for Glades Horne, Julia's husband. In the housekeeper's eyes, all that mattered was that the two young misses were happy; who they were with was unimportant. Reputation, face—none of it was as crucial as the children's happiness.

Glades Horne accompanied Julia Bluen into the Bluen Family's main hall.

Upon seeing Glades Horne, Sovia Morris reacted as if she'd seen her savior. She immediately appealed to him for help, hoping Glades would prevent Marcel Horne and Ruby Bluen from getting together.

Julia Bluen sided with her sister. She hoped Sovia Morris would calm down and allow Marcel Horne and Ruby Bluen to let their relationship develop freely. After all, both were unmarried and had every right to pursue their own happiness.

Hearing Julia Bluen's words, Sovia Morris became infuriated and couldn't stop herself from lashing out at Julia with a barrage of accusations.

As Glades Horne's aunt by marriage, and therefore Julia Bluen's too, Sovia Morris was an elder. It might be considered normal for her to reprimand Julia. However, a certain man who protected his wife fiercely and doted on her endlessly wouldn't tolerate it.

Glades Horne's expression darkened progressively with each of Sovia Morris's rebukes aimed at Julia Bluen. His gaze grew colder and colder as he stared frigidly at Sovia—as if she were no longer his aunt, but an old witch tormenting his beloved wife!